Manchester City have been dealt a blow ahead of the Manchester derby after Ruben Dias was ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring issue.
Dias sustained the injury in the first half of Tuesday’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Peterborough and his injury is a blow to City ahead of a crucial period in their title race with Liverpool.
Nathan Ake is also sidelined through injury, meaning John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are the only senior central defenders available to Pep Guardiola to face Manchester United and both unsurprisingly start.
The timescale for Dias’ injury means it uncertain whether or not he will return in time for City’s match against Liverpool on April 10.
“It happens in a season,” Guardiola said ahead of the match at the Etihad Stadium. “One season, one of the best players was out for eight or nine months – Kevin (De Bruyne).
“I don’t love it, we need him – a lot. Ruben is massively important for us but he is not there.
“I’m not going to cry. We have just two central defenders – it is what it is.”
Elsewhere, it looks like Phil Foden will start as a false nine for City, with Bernardo Silva potentially in a deeper position alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri in midfield.
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Mahrez, Grealish, Foden
Subs: Carson, Sterling, Gundogan, Jesus, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Delap, Mbete, McAtee
